- Sir Olly Robbins, the former top Foreign Office civil servant, has launched a legal challenge against his dismissal by prime minister Sir Keir Starmer.
- He was sacked after being blamed by the prime minister for failing to inform him that Peter Mandelson had not passed the necessary vetting to become Britain’s ambassador to the US.
- Sir Olly's union confirmed he has requested a Judicial Review of his dismissal as permanent under-secretary of the FCDO, stating he took the action reluctantly after the prime minister did not apologise.
- In his court submission, Sir Olly argues that his dismissal involved no fair procedure, was based on 'irrational' reasons, and that the prime minister lacks the statutory authority to dismiss the head of the diplomatic service.
- The FDA union has called on Sir Keir to admit his mistake, claiming the firing was based on a 'grievous misunderstanding' of the National Security Vetting system and a 'rash response to a media story'.
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